Took my first REAL ride tonight, a couple questions : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

smokn' · 11-14-2009, 06:16 PM

Well I drove to ATL to get my 97 ZX7R inspected and then drove back to Augusta. We had it strapped down pretty tight in the back of the truck and when we pulled it out we noticed a puddle of fork oil by the front tire. Now it hadn't leaked at all before but it has me kinda concerned. Does this for sure mean my seals are bad? Or was it just seeping because we had so much pressure on the suspension from hauling it?

Now on to my next question: when I put it in first (which kinda takes a good kick), the whole bike jumps a little bit and if I don't do it with one quick motion, it kinda grinds gears, not real smooth. I'm kinda thinking it might be a clutch cable that needs adjusting. What do you guys think?

Last question: my temperature gauge didn't come up at all the whole ride (several stops, but I rode for about an hour at 45-65). I thought it was broken, but when I got her back home I reved her a little and the gauge finally came up. My last CBR at least heated up a little on a ride, even in the winter. Any thoughts?

BTW, I love this bike. It drives great, looks beautiful, and handles nicely for a 750.

185EZ · 11-14-2009, 06:48 PM

Are you going to keep us hangin on the other thread? Did it pass inspection?

smokn' · 11-14-2009, 07:01 PM

oh, haha, i'll report over there, thanx for reminding me;)

**Shifty1** · 11-14-2009, 09:28 PM

Yes, there is a chance the fork seals may be on their way out. Remember, when you strap the bike down, it doesn't have to be "superman-ed" Just enough tension to keep the forks from fully extending when you hit a bump should be enough. Really wrenching it down can actually blow your seals.

As for the jump when putting into first, it sounds like you need to adjust your clutch cable. Check it at the lever and at the case to make sure it's correct. And, yes, if you ever so slowly try to slide it into first, it will make a hell of a racket. Make sure when you shift, it's a solid and positive shift.

Don't know about the temp gauge.

e1_ZX-9r · 11-15-2009, 09:18 AM

Until I figured out to wait a couple seconds for the clutch fly-wheel affect to slow down, shifting my 9R into 1st at a dead stop resulted in an loud clunk. Planning ahead while waiting at stop lights/signs helps. Try pulling the clutch in, count to 3, then hit the shift lever. With the clutch slowed, shifting goes like butter.

davewaibel · 11-17-2009, 12:34 PM

no clutch cable on this bike- first of all- you could have air in the line, bleed it and see if its better, what usually happens is idle tends to be a little high and it aggravates the clunky transmission on engagement- idle it down a touch and see if the problem goes away- what your describing- sums up all 3 of my 7s' from time to time, enjoy the bike, and get the fork seals fixed before they soak your brake pads-

bgjuliusZX7 · 11-17-2009, 08:53 PM

daves right no clutch cable all 7s have hydraulic clutches. and if it was air in the line the bike would also move foward quite a bit because the clutch is not fully disengaged. my 7 jumps every time i shift into first its just a process of the bike and if its not a firm shift down with the fut it will grind and if ur rollin it will miss first and go to neutral.

7's also with significant air flow will not heat up that much especailly if the bike is naked. on a 75 degree day u can expect the temp gauge to move specially in stop and go traffic. Just make sure when it gets to a certain temp that ur fan kicks on or else u could run into some problems.

jesse08 · 11-18-2009, 10:55 PM

that bike is the s***(97 zx7r p2) u got a nice piece man, i have the same exact one for 2 years it still runs strong with26k jus needs reg maintence, not expensive if u can do it yourself, iv never had any problems ive taken 05 r6's in races u just gotta kno how to unleash the potemtiol power in the 123hp beast (crank hp of course stock) not bad for a 97 tho. eh?

smokn' · 11-19-2009, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesse08

that bike is the s***(97 zx7r p2) u got a nice piece man, i have the same exact one for 2 years it still runs strong with26k jus needs reg maintence, not expensive if u can do it yourself, iv never had any problems ive taken 05 r6's in races u just gotta kno how to unleash the potemtiol power in the 123hp beast (crank hp of course stock) not bad for a 97 tho. eh?

It's definitely not bad. I think my F3 was a little quicker off the line, but this one seems to have much more linear power. It pulls like a freight train all across the tach whereas my F3 was a dog at low RPM but screamed once it hit 8-9K. If I have time between painting fairings I'm gona try and replace the seals myself. Now that I've gotten used to going into first, it doesn't really seem like a problem. Thanx for all your help everyone.